Referee Latif Adaari (L) took charge of the 2025 FA Cup final
Referee Latif Adaari has come under intense fire from Ghanaian football fans following his late penalty decision in the 2025 MTN FA Cup final.
The decision, handed Asante Kotoko a 2-1 victory over Division One side Golden Kick at the University of Ghana Stadium on Sunday, June 15, 2025.
The spot-kick, awarded with just minutes to play, sparked outrage both inside the stadium and online.
Many fans believe the decision was soft, if not outright dubious, and ultimately decided the outcome of the match.
The penalty, calmly converted by Kwame Opoku to complete his brace, sealed Kotoko’s 10th FA Cup title and ended their eight-year drought in the competition.
But for many, the celebration was overshadowed by officiating controversy.
In the aftermath of the match, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has charged Golden Kick Football Club with misconduct.
The club’s fans threw objects onto the pitch in protest of the referee’s call, leading to a brief stoppage of play.
Additionally, the club’s official social media accounts made scathing remarks about the match officials, prompting further disciplinary action.
Read some of the comments below:
pure robbery!
— -Big SOLO 🇬🇭🐯 (@Ackam009) June 15, 2025
Shameful refereeing. All through the match all 50 50 was for Kotoko… Ghana football is completely joke
— NO JANDAM AGAINST JM (@phathers1) June 15, 2025
Bad call from the ref,Goal keeper got the ball,not a penalty
— I Think Differently AFC𓃵🇬🇭🇺🇸 (@_Roofman2131gh) June 15, 2025
FKA/MA
Meanwhile, watch the latest edition of Sports Check with former Hearts of Oak midfielder Frederick Ansah Botchway
